Support structure for sensitive instruments



IHVEHTOR:

March 4, 195s l 2,825,517-

SPPORT STRUCTURE FOR SENSITIVE INSTRUMENTS F. w. BAUR FRANZ. BAUR A United States SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR .SENSITIVE AINS'FRUl/lENS Franz W. Baur, St.-Auhin Sauges, Neuchatel, Switzerland, assignor to Firma Contraves A. G., Zurich, Switzerland Application'Decemlber 15,-19'53,Seria'lfN0. 398,390

-10 Claims. ,(Cl. 24S- 158) .when asupport-forthe user thereof is associatedtherewith.

,it is still another object 'of :the present invention to .provide a :supporting arrangement of .the -above type :wherein transmission of disturbing'iniluences to the sup- Atport standard of `the measuring instrument is avoided.

.Other objects `and `advantages Will become apparent l,from the followingvdescription andthe appended claims.

The present invention is `particularlyconcerned with a `support -device rof the .type which is provided with a carrying member for the -user of the instrument, the'carrying member being, for example, la seat device. ports, itis particularly important that the measuring instrument, =e. hg., a theodolite, occupy a practically unchangeable starting position. When such -a measuring instrument is -used to Vexactly determine within -a few seclonds `of are, for example, the position of Vtixedor movable objects with` respect topar-ticulari reference directions, as, for example, the azimuth or the altitude of the object, .such measurementispossible onlyif the supporting-standard carrying Vthe measuringinstrumentis extremely stable, and lis keptfree from .the smallest bendinginuences.

VIt-is relatively easy toarrangethe parts of the .measuring instrument So that the instrument is statically and dynamically balanced with respect .to its vertical supporting axis .and to mount the supporting standard of the `instrument in a stable manner by `securing it to a solid base, as, for example,;by providing `the .standard at its bottom with a concreteplate, in order to attain ,the neces- -sary .precision in the operation ofthe measuring instrument. However, when a carrying memberforsupporting the operator Yof .the instrument must be provided on the support, `as is generally the case where the measuringin- Strument is .used for continuous measurement of movable objects, so that, forexarnple, the .observer `may continuously look .through the oculars of the instrument, .the maintenance 4of necessary precision becomes considerably more difficult. In particular, `the .differences in weight -of individual operators of the instrumentand their voluntary and involuntary movements give rise tobending moments onthe supporting standard, whichcan be overcome only .by constructing `the supporting standard with excessively large dimensions, in-order toattain the necessary precision .inthe use of the measuringinstrument. FurthermoreVanincrease of the amount of material in the body of the supportingstandardmade necessarythereby results in auincrease of the heat `expansion eie'cts in the supporting standard, which furtherunfavorably influences the Vprecision of the measurements.

In -suzh Asupg atent The present invention is designed to overcome the above mentioned difficulties, and to afford the objects stated above.

With :the above objects -rin view, Ytheipresent invention mainly comprises a combined support structure lfor a measuring instrumentand the user thereof which includes an inner supporting standard for supporting a measuring instrument, the supporting standard having a base portion at its lower end and an instrument carrying portion spaced .from ythe `base portion thereof, Aand an outer supporting member arranged radially Voutwardly of the inner supporting standard for carrying the user of the measuring instrument, fthe outer supporting v"member having a base portion at its lower end and a carrying portion spaced from the base portion thereof, the inner supporting standard andthe outer supporting member being connected to each other solely at the base portions thereof, whereby stresses exerted on theouter supporting member Yare not `transmitted Yto fthe -instrument carrying portion of the inner-supporting standard.

Preferably, .in 'accordance with the Vpresent invention,

the outersupporting member is arranged coaxial with the .inner supporting standard and is spaced therefrom along its length, so `as to .provide an annular air space between the inner and outer supporting'parts. v I-n accordance with `)the invention,A a carrying member .forcarrying the user of the measuring instrument isprovided'on the outer supporting member and mounted thereon for rotation about the Vinner and outer supporting com Iponents. Preferably, both Ythe inner and vouter support elements arerof tubularforrn` andzhave anenlarged base .portion on the bottom of which ,radial flanges are formed, the inner supportingstandard .and the outer supporting member being connected to each other only at their radial flanges. l I

-In this way, 'the carrying member, .which is mounted Yon .the Outer supporting member vfor rotation thereon about the central vertical .axis of the combined Vsupport structure, may carry an operator circumferentially around the instrument support without transmitting the stresses exerted thereon to the supportingstandard carrying the instrument, .and thereby the stability of the instrument supporting standard is considerably improved. Furthermore, the outer 'supporting member serves as a protective shell `for .the inner .supporting standard to guard against non-.uniform heating effects, Whichmay cause bending or deformation of the-inner supporting standard. To further protect Vthe .outer-,surface ofthe inner supporting standard from heat effects, the surface of the inner supporting standard may be '.cover'ed with aheat refiectiveand/or a heat insu1a`ting.layer. r I l Y The Vnovel features which are considered as characteristictfor theinventicn are .setfor'th 'particular in vthe appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as .to its construction and its 'method of operation, together with .additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understoodtfrom the .following description of specific embodiments when read in connection `with the accompanying drawings, in which: p

The figure is a viewin elevation 'partly in sectionof an embodiment of a support device constructed in accord'- ance with the present invention.

Referring now to the( Afigure, a stationary base `or pedestal i, which may, fo example, be formed of a concrete plate poured on the ground, is shown carrying a supporting strnctlie for a measuring apparatus 2, which may be, for exampi, a theodiite ,of other type of surveying instrument, which is intended 'to be usedl for carrying out precision measurements of movable -objects. The supporting structure `for' th .inesuing,instrument 2 comprises an axially symmetrical ihni'hollow column Si? having an enlarged bell-shapdibs portion 31 which is formed with a radially extending annular flange 32. The bottom of flange 32 forms a bearing surface for the entire supporting structure against the stationary base plate ll. On the upper carrier ring 33 of the innerrsupporting standard 3) there is mounted the measuring instrument 2. which is enabled to rotate with respect to vertical axis A-A by means of parts not shown. It is assumed that the parts of measuring instrument 2 are balanced statically as well as dynamically lwith respect to axis A-A, so that no objectionable bending moments with respect to axis A--A are caused thereby.

The upper side of the base flange 32 forms a supporting surface for a base ilange 42 which is formed on an enlarged bell-shaped base portion 41 of an outer axially symmetrical tubular supporting column 4t?, which coaxially surrounds the inner supporting column and which is spaced therefrom along its entire height by an annular air space 50.

A tubular carrying sleeve 45 is rotatably mounted on the outer supporting member by means of two bearing rings 43 and 44. The sleeve 45 constitutes a carrying member for seats 45-46 on which operating personnel may be carried and be rotated thereon around axis A-A with measuring instrument 2, seats 46-46 being connected to sleeve 45 by members 35-35. In addition to seats 46--46, other supplementary apparatus may be mounted on the turnable carrying member 45, such as driving motors, and gear systems can be provided between measuring apparatus 2 and the turnable carrying member 45. In this case, care should be taken that such gear systems do not cause defiecting moments on the inner supporting standard 30 with respect to axis AA.

Due to the fact that outer supporting member 40 is in contact with inner supporting standard 30 only at their respective base anges 32 and 42, any bending or deformation of outer supporting member 40 cannot be transmitted to the inner supporting standard 30. Bending moments caused by weight resting on seats 46-46 are indicated in the drawing by the arrows a and b which show the direction of motion of member 35 connecting seat 46 with outer supporting member 40 and the relative motion of member 40 itself, due to weight exerted on seats 46-46'.

In addition, outer supporting tubular member 40 protects inner supporting standard 30 effectively against outside heat influences. Such protection of inner supporting standard 30 against heat influences can be further enhanced by providing the outer surface of inner standard 30 with a heat protective layer 34, which, for eX- ample, may be formed of glass wool material to serve as an insulating layer and a metal foil layer, e. g., of aluminum, to serve as a ray reecting means. Any unsymmetrical heat effects which remain even after such protection are dispersed rapidly throughout the entire support structure due to the formation of the inner standard 30 as a bell-shaped axially symmetrical tubular body.

It has been found that the above construction principle, in accordance with which the carrier members for the operating personnel are mounted on a special supporting member, the deformations of which cannot be transmitted to the supporting standard of the measuring instrument, results in measurement precision which is greatly improved over that which is obtainable with supporting structures known heretofore.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also nd a useful application in other types of support structures differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a support for a surveying instrument, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may abe made without departing in any way from the spirit yof the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications Without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters latcnt is: i

l. A combined support structure for a sensitive instrument which should remain stable and the operator thereof, comprising, in combination, an inner instrument supporting structure having an instrument carrying upper portion and a lower base portion; an outer operator carrying structure arranged about said inner supporting structure and having an upper portion spaced from said instrument carrying upper portion of said inner instrument supporting structure, an operator carrier portion connected to said upper portion, and a lower base portion integral with said latter upper portion; and connecting means integrally formed with said base portions of said instrument support structure and said operator support structure, respectively, for connectingsaid inner instrument supporting structure and said outer operator carrying structure to each other solely at their base portions without transmitting stresses exerted on said outer operator carrying structure to the instrument carrying portion of said inner instrument carrying structure.

2. A combined support structure for a sensitive instrument which should remain stable and the operator thereof, comprising, in combination, an inner instrument supporting structure having an instrument carrying upper portion and a lower base portion; an outer operator carrying structure arranged about and coaxial with said inner supporting structure and having an upper portion spaced from said instrument carrying upper portion of said inner instrument supporting structure, said outer operator carrying structure having also an operator carrier portion connected to said upper portion thereof, and a lower base portion integral with said upper portion thereof; and connecting means integrally formed with said base portions of said instrument support structure and said operator support structure, respectively, for connecting said inner instrument supporting structure and said outer operator carryingV structure to each other solely at their base portions without transmitting stresses exerted on said outer operator carrying Vstructure to the instrument carrying portion of said inner instrument carrying structure.

3. A combined support structure for a sensitive instrument which should remain stable and the operator thereof, comprising, in combination, an inner instrument supporting structure having an instrument carrying upper portion and a lower base portion; an outer operator carrying structure arranged about and coaxial with said inner supporting structure and covering substantially the whole length thereof, said outer operator carrying structure having an upper portion spaced from said instrument carrying upper portion of said inner instrument supporting structure, said outer operator carrying structure having also an operator Vcarrier portion connected to said upper portion thereof, and a lower base portion integral with said upper portion thereof; and connecting means integrally formed with said base portions of said instrument support structure and said operator support structure, respectively, for connecting said inner instrument supporting structure and said outer operator carrying structure to each other solely at their base portions without transmitting stresses exerted on said outer operator carrying structure to the instrument carrying portion of said inner instrument carrying structure.

4. A combined Ysupport structure for a sensitive instrument which should remain stable and the. operator thereon comprising, kin. cdrnliinatdm,nu.innerinstrument supporting structure yharing .an .instrument ,carryinsnp- Vper portion and alowerbasernrtion; angnnter ,operator tion thereof; and .connecting ^rneans -integrally formed with said base portions of lsaivdinstrument support structure and said operator support structure, respectively, `for connecting said inner.instrumenttsupportingtstructure and said outer operator carrying structure to each other solely at their base portions without transmitting stresses exerted on said outer operator carrying structure to the instrument carrying portion of said inner instrument carrying structure.

5. A combined support structure for a sensitive instrument which should remain stable and the operator thereof, comprising, in combination, an inner instrument support standard having an upper instrument carrying portion in form of a hollow column having a central axis and a bell-shaped lower base portion integral with said upper portion and ending in a radially extending flange; an outer operator carrying standard arranged about and coaxial with said inner instrument support standard, covering substantially the whole length thereof and separated from the same for substantially the whole length by an air space, said outer operator carrying standard having an upper portion in form of a hollow column and a bell-shaped lower base portion integral with said upper portion and ending in a radially extending flange; and a shell formed with operator supports arranged around and connected to said upper portion of the outer operator carrying standard for rotation around said central axis, said inner instrument supporting standard and said outer operator carrying standard connected to each other solely at their radially extending anges, whereby stresses exerted on said outer shell are not transmitted to the instrument carrying portion of said instrument carrying standard.

6. A combined support structure for a sensitive instrument which should remain stable and the operator thereof, comprising, in combination, an inner instrument support standard having an upper instrument carrying portion in form of a hollow column having a central axis and a bell-shaped lower base portion integral with said upper portion and ending in a radially extending flange having an upper face and a lower face, the latter resting on a base; an outer operator carrying standard 1" arranged about and coaxial with said inner instrument support standard, covering substantially the whole length thereof and separated from the same for substantially the whole length by an air space, said outer operator carrying standard having an upper portion in form of a hollow column and a bell-shaped lower base portion integral with said upper portion and ending in a radially extending ange having a lower face resting on said upper face of the flange of the inner supporting standard; and a shell formed with operator supports arranged around and connected to said upper portion of the outer operator carrying standard for rotation around said central axis, said inner instrument supporting standard and said outer operator carrying standard connected to each other solely at their radially extending llanges, whereby stresses exerted on said outer shell are not transmitted to the instrument carrying portion of said instrument carrying standard.

7. A combined support structure for a sensitive instrument which should remain stable and the operator thereof, comprising, in combination, Yanjinner 'instrument support standard [having an lupper instrument carrying portion ,in 'form of ka Vhollow Vcolumn :having va central axis anda bell-shaped .lower base zportion :integral lwith said upper portion and ending infa radially. extending angeghaving an upper face and alower face, `the latter resting Von Aa base; yan ,outer operator carrying .standard arranged Vabout and coaxial withV ,said 'inner yinstrument supportstandard, coverlngsnbstantially the whole length thereof and separated Vfrom the lsame forsubstantially the lwhole hlength by `an vair space, `said outer operator carrying standard having an upper portion .in ',forrn .di

YaihQllnW ,Columnand a bell-shaped lower base lportion integral ,with said nppertrortion and ending 1in .a radially extending ilaria@ having ,a lcwer ,face `resting 0n said iupper face of the 'llenas of the inner suprwrtina stand- `ard; and .ashell formed with laterally extending arms Carrying operatorseatsarransed around and connected to said upper portion of the outer operator carrying standard for rotation around said central axis, said inner instrument supporting standard and said outer operator carrying standard connected to each other solely at their radially extending flanges, whereby stresses exerted on said outer shell are not transmitted to the instrument carrying portion of said instrument carrying standard.

8. A combined support structure for a sensitive instrument which should remain stable and the operator thereof, comprising, in combination, an inner instrument support standard having an upper instrument carrying portion in form of a hollow column having a central axis and a bell-shaped lower base portion integral with said upper portion and ending in a radially extending flange; an outer operator carrying standard arranged about and coaxial with said inner instrument support standard, covering substantially the whole length thereof and separated from the same for substantially the whole length by an air space, said outer operator carrying standard having an upper portion in form of a hollow column and a bell-shaped lower base portion integral with said upper portion and ending in a radially extending ange; a shell formed with operator supports arranged around and connected to said upper portion of the outer operator carrying standard for rotation around said central axis, said inner instrument supporting standard and said o-uter operator carrying standard connected to each other solely at their radially extending anges, whereby stresses exerted on said outer shell are not transmitted to the instrument carrying portion of said instrument carrying standard; and heat insulating means arranged between said inner instrument supporting standard and said outer operator carrying standard.

9. A combined support structure for a sensitive instrument which should remain stable and the operator thereof, comprising, in combination, an inner instrument support standard having an upper instrument carrying portion in form of a hollow column having a central axis and a bellshaped lower base portion integral with said upper portion and ending in a radially extending ange; an outer operator carrying standard arranged about and coaxial with said inner instrument support standard, covering substantially the whole length thereof and separated from the same for substantially the whole length by an air space, said outer operator carrying standard having an upper portion in form of a hollow column and a bell-shaped lower base portion integral with said upper portion and ending in a radially extending flange; a shell formed with operator supports arranged around and connected to said upper portion of the outer operator carrying standard for rotation around said central axis, said inner instrument supporting standard and said outer operator carrying standard connected to each other solely at their radially extending anges, whereby stresses exerted on said outer shell are not transmitted to the instrument carrying portion of said instrument carrying standard; and a heat insulating layer covering substantially the whole outer surface of said inner instrument supporting standard.

10. A combined support structure for a sensitive instrument which should remain stable and the operator thereof, comprising, in combination, an inner instrument support standard having an upper instrument carrying portion in form of a hollow column having a central axis and a bellshaped lower base portion integral with said upper portion and ending in a radially extending flange; an outer operator carrying standard arranged about and coaxial with said inner instrument support standard, covering substantially the whole length thereof and separated from the same for substantially the whole length by an air space, said outer operator carrying standard having an upper portion in form of a hollow column and a bell-shaped lower base portion integral with said upper portion and ending in a radially extending flange; a shell formed with operator supports arranged around and connected to said upper portion of the outer operator carrying standard for rotation around said central axis, vsaid.inner instrument supporting standard and said outer operator carrying Vstandard connected to each other solely at their radially extending.anges,.whereby stressesv exerted on said outer shell are not transmitted to the instrument carrying portion of said instrument carrying standard; and a ray reecting layer covering substantially the whole outer surface of said inner instrument supporting standard.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,368,132 Gavlak Feb. 8, 1921 f 1,380,193 Dinguid May 3l, 1921 2,027,348 Procoeff-Seversky Jan. 7, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS 84,004 Y Austria May 25, 1921 

